Life-preserver and protector.



W. MOKELVY- LIFE PRESERVER AND mownc'ron;

APPLICATION FILED APR.11, 1914.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.

NORRIS PETERS CO, PHOTO-LITHG.. WASHING MN, D c

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WILLIAM IVIQKELVY, OF WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA.

LIFE-PRESERVER AND PROTECTOR.

measles.

Specification of Letters IPatent.

Patented Feb. 23, 19115.

Application filed April 11, 1914. Serial No. 831,294.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM McKELvY, of the city of Winnipeg, in the Province of Manitoba, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers and Protectors, of which the following is the specification.

My invention relates to improvements in life preserver and protector and the object of the invention is to devise means for shielding a person supported by the preserver from the inclemency of the weather and it consists essentially of an annular life preserver designed to support the body of a person, a collapsible bag like structure of water proof material secured around its mouth around the inner periphery of the preserver and depending therefrom, a water proof canopy like cover extending over the preserver and secured thereto around its circumference and provided with a cross opening having a jaw bag mouth designed to form a closure over the head of the occupant as hereinafter more particularly explained by the following specification.

Figure 1, is a perspective view of my device shown in position floating in the water.

Fig. 2, is a cross section through Fig. 1. Fig. 8, 1s a plan section on llne m-y Fig. 2.

Fi g. 4:, is a perspective view showing my device collapsed. Fig. 5, is a cross section through Fig. 4:. Fig. 6, is a cross section through Fig. 4:, taken at right angles to the section shown in Fig. 5.

In the drawings like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

A is a life preserver formed of cork or other suitable buoyant material.

B is a metallic ring secured within the preserver ring A.

C is a bag formed of water proof canvas and preferably tapered or funnel shape in form having a lower opening end C. D is a closing cup fitting into the opening C and provided with edge perforations D to form means whereby the bag C may be stitched to the cup around the mouth of the bag. The cup 1) is provided with a flange D provided with an Lip-turned rim D*. E is a cover also formed of water proof canvas such cover be ing tapered upwardly as shown and provided with a center opening E.

E and E are jaw members pivoted to gether at E and forming-a bag mouth the jaw members being connected at their pivot point to the supporting ring B. When the aw members are in the closed position they may be secured together by a suitable spring catch F so .as to hold them connected together.

G is a chain connected at one end to a suitable portion of the ring B and at the opposite end to the lower jaw member E G is a similar chain connected to the ring B diametrically opposite the chain G, the opposite end of the chain G is connected to the inner jaw member 4 v G is a supplemental chain permanently connected to one of the chains G or G having its opposite end attachably connected to the opposing chain G or G by a suitable form of spring clip.

The function of the chains G, G and G is to hold the mouth of the bag positively closed should the spring catch give way in reaching the water. The small chain G connecting the chains G and G together in proximity to their upper end prevents the mouth of the bag springing open. When it is desired to open the mouth all that is necessary to do is to unclip the chain G from the chain G.

1-1 are a series of inwardly and diagonally extending flexible bands secured at their outer ends to the ring B and provided at their inner ends with small rings H.

H is a band or strap extending through the rings H. and provided with a suitable buckle connection H at the free ends.

I is an outer cover of sheet rubber (see Fig. 2) which extends over my whole device around the life preserver down to the cup D the ends thereof being inserted in the rim D and suitably cemented therein.

J are two flexible rubber pipes communicating through suitable openings to the interior of the preserver bag. By this means the occupant of the bag when closed is provided with suitable ventilation.

K and K are rings inserted within the bag 0 as shown particularly in Fig. 2 so as to hold the walls of the bag in proper position. WVhen my device is stored away the bag portion depending from the preserver ring is collapsed, the ring K fitting within the ring K and the cup D fitting within the ring K, the whole fitting within the preserver ring B. The jaw members E and E of the cover are opened out in the position shown in Figs. l and 5 thereby leaving the preserver out flat in form which will take a minimum amount of space when stored preserver is to be used it is merely laid flat on the deck, the person who is to occupy the same steps into the cup D and grasps the outer rim of the preserver ring A drawing it upwardly around him, the strap H is then fastened around the body of the occupant beneath his shoulders, the device is then ready to be launched, the occupant may do this by grasping a rope or other suitable means and drawing himself into the water. As soon as he is in the water if the weather is rough he can grasp the members E and E of the cover and rest them over his head so as to lock the same in position by means of the spring catch F. From this description it will be seen that Ihave devised a very simple device which will protect the body of a person supported by the preserver from the Wind and Water and cold. The occupant of my device may also take with him any suitable means for propelling the device through the Water if it is found necessary.

What I claim as my invention is. 1. A life preserver and protector comprising an outer ring of buoyant material,

away. lVhen the arc-shaped jaw members extending diametrically across said buoyant ring and pivotally secured thereto, a covering canopy secured around its edges to the buoyant ring having a center opening secured at its sides to the inner and outer jaw members, chains connecting each of said jaws with the buoyant ring, a supplemental chain for connectingsaid chains together in proximity to their upper ends to maintain the jaws in closed position, and a collapsible bag like structure depending from such buoyant ring, as and for the purpose specified.

2. A life preserver and protector comprising a buoyant ring, a funnel shape bag like structure depending from the periphery of such buoyant ring, a cup to which the lower end of the bag like structure is connected, a water proof covering for the structure and a bent up flange carried by said cup for securing said water proof covering thereon, as and for the purpose specified.

WVILLIAM MCKELVY.

WVitnesses:

ELMER JOHN MAmLL, COPLAND BERTIMER TRELFORD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C." 

